Storage system

So I started thinking about that Gladiator stuff - and other cladding solutions - you know, where you put a bunch of stuff on the wall (for a lot of $ - which is great if you have all that $$$), to then buy proprietary parts that can hang on it (everything from cabinets to a rake holder) - I am wondering if there is a home made solution - some of the thoughts running through my cabeza:

1. maybe put up wood across the walls - like 2x6's (4's? 8's) every 24" (12"? 36"? other?)
2. maybe miter the top of the board
3. maybe miter "mounting boards" that would fit into them? - and put the things that go on the wall on to these mounting boards and then hang them? that way they could slide or be moved?
4. some things (say a bike holder) might not need a mounting board - but then it could just screw right into the cladding (as opposed to finding studs (my garage is drywalled) every time you want to mount something)

the benefits of the above (if it works) is that you only have to find studs once - if these mounting plates work things are slideable and moveable - things that need to be screwed in directly would have easily accessible points to screw in - I guess you could even spray all the wood silver and make it look high tech?

the downside - the thickness of the planking plus the mounting boards (plus drywall if you want to take that to an extreme) eats into garage space - might make the garage look like a zebra - might be overkill and better to just mount where needed - other?

what do you guys think? anyone done something like this? a better mouse trap out there?

thanks!

How about some of the display systems used by retailers? You can get the MDF board with grooves running parallel and spaced about every 4 inches, and the assorted metal brackets for hanging items off it.

Might not work for something like a wheel barrow, but certainly fine for shovels, hoses, weedeaters and the like.

Sounds like you are describing a French Cleat system:
http://www.newwoodworker.com/frenchcleat.html

Works well for cabinets and such where you want the option of being able to rearrange things. The idea of adding boards with various hangers when you don't exactly want a cabinet sounds like a good idea!

Thanks - good call on the retail display material as that can often be found used - well, Pat, glad to know someone had already thought of this (would have been scared if someone hadn't as I am a complete novice!!)


Tool question: what would be the best saw for making these miter cuts (as well as straight cuts) - a table saw or some type of miter saw (radial or sliding)? Any recommendation on types - Sam's Club and Costco have last year's Dewalt models DW706 (now replaced with DW716) and DCMSP (a package of DW708 (now replaced with DW718) and a current 12v drill (DW926) - Harbor Freight has both miter and a table saw (less than either of the above) - thoughts?

thanks,
edl

All 3 will work for mitre cuts, but looking at the larger picture - what else do you want to use the saw for? Each one has it's pros and cons...

Mitre Saw - small and portable, can make compound cuts. Restricted in size of material it can cut.

Radial - Not as portable, able to make the same cuts as the mitre saw but has a longer draw and able to handle larger stock. Restricted in width of ripping/crosscutting large sheets.

Table - Not as portable, can make the same cuts as both the other saws and able to rip wide panels.

Edit: BTW, I built my garage with a circular saw and a basic mitre saw. There were times when I wished for a table saw (which I now have), but I survived without it.

The other issue with all 3 is quality - you get what you pay for. You can get a decent handyman Mitre saw for the same price you'd pay for a poor quality tablesaw.

Anyhow, that's my two-bits on the subject, but I'm sure there will be a few others here with more experience and perspective than me.

I'd make the cleats on a tablesaw. A miter saw isn't going to be able to do it over a length of wood. I'm not real big on the HF stuff. I've got some old Delta and Craftsman stuff that I've acquired over the years. The old stuff is often better than what is available new anymore.

PAToyota said:

I'd make the cleats on a tablesaw. A miter saw isn't going to be able to do it over a length of wood. I'm not real big on the HF stuff. I've got some old Delta and Craftsman stuff that I've acquired over the years. The old stuff is often better than what is available new anymore.

Click to expand...

You can buy the stuff I was referring to. I don't think he's talking about something to hang cabinets with as much as the multirail reconfigurable "Stuff" organizers you see on some walls. Most of them cost a lot of change to setup and buy the assorted hanging accessories.

Edit: RAYJAY uses some in his garage photos here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4708

edl said:

1. maybe put up wood across the walls - like 2x6's (4's? 8's) every 24" (12"? 36"? other?)
2. maybe miter the top of the board
3. maybe miter "mounting boards" that would fit into them?

Click to expand...

This is what I was referring to... Sounds exactly like a French Cleat system.

PAToyota said:

This is what I was referring to... Sounds exactly like a French Cleat system.

Click to expand...

Ah...got you now.

That would be capable of holding larger items, so it would all depend on the amount of strength he was after.

Der Bugmeister said:

Ah...got you now.

That would be capable of holding larger items, so it would all depend on the amount of strength he was after.

Click to expand...

great input - thanks to all!!

PAToyota said:

This is what I was referring to... Sounds exactly like a French Cleat system.

Click to expand...

This is a very strong way to mount stuff. I work in the office furniture industry and many overhead cabinets that get filled up with heavy binders in offices are mounted this way.

The wall systems that have grooves in them for configurable walls, are called "SlatWall", and several other proprietary names. There is a router bit on the market, now, for making your own panels from plywood.

The "french cleat" system is a very effective means of installing cabinets to walls, and having the option of rearranging them to suit changing needs. The last ones I made, I used 3/4 inch birch plywood to make the cleat system; even with countersinking the bolt heads and washers, it was plenty strong. I ripped the 8 foot sheets into six inch strips, lengthwise, then ripped the strips at a 45 degree angle, right down the center. By using the 3/4 inch material, you don't have as much space between the wall and the cabinets to collect spiders and such - the space isn't as easy to clean, either, though. Also, you have to "cleat" the lower edge of the cabinets - I used the 45 degree cleats top and bottom, so both sets were weight bearing - to have your cabinets hang straight. You need a table saw with a large table or extension wings and roller stands, or a radial arm saw with a bench long enough and wide enough to handle the full sheets of plywood; or if you have access to a panel saw, that will work, too. It can be done with a circular saw, but is a lot of work to get accurate cuts.